lesson guide lesson 8 - unio mystica: am i alone?
TRANSCRIPT
Lesson Guide
Lesson 8 - Unio Mystica: Am I Alone? Introduction Lesson 8 takes us to the southeast sector of the Truth compass for a tour of the social sphere that Dr. Tackett characterizes as the heart and soul of Christianity: the Mystical Union (Latin, Unio Mystica) between God and man. Here, in the most intimate and profoundly mysterious sphere of the “Intimate Three” (family, church, and the God-man relationship), we have the privilege of pondering exactly what it is that Christ has purchased for us at the price of His precious blood shed on the cross for our sins: not simply salvation from hell, but an invitation into the Godhead itself, where we may experience the incomprehensible wonder of oneness with the Creator of the universe. Themes In our discussion of the family, we saw that the apostle Paul likens the bond between Christ and the church to the oneness shared between husband and wife (Ephesians 5:31-32). This oneness, he concludes, is a “profound mystery” –a concept that is difficult to fully grasp. On this tour, we proceed to examine an even deeper and more mysterious aspect of this bond: namely, that it is experienced not only within marriage and the corporate context of the body of Christ, but also on an intimate, personal level by the individual believer. This, says Dr. Tackett, is the greatest of all the wonders we will contemplate during the course of our study: that the God of the universe has come to make His dwelling both with us and in us. Dr. Tackett marshals an impressive array of scriptural passages and biblical images to illustrate both facets of this glorious truth. On the corporate side, he draws our attention to Jesus’ discourse on the vine and the branches and the importance of “abiding” in Him (John 15:5); the high priestly prayer of John 17, in which Christ speaks again and again of the oneness shared between the Father, the Son, and the body of believers (“I in them and You in Me”); the several passages in which Paul emphasizes the importance of unity in the church and the mutual edification of the various members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:11-16; Galatians 3:28-29); and the many “one another” commandments with which Jesus and the apostles set forth their vision for our common life as Christians, including John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:16, and 1 Peter 1:22. On the personal, individual side, he cites Jesus’ statement to Nicodemus about being “born again” (John 3:7); His promise of the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16-17); Paul’s declaration that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17); and the apostle’s astounding claim that “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). In connection with this discussion, Dr. Tackett points out that we must be careful not to “blur the spheres” by applying the unique and particular social laws of one realm to another realm – for example, by assuming that we can meet our need for Christian fellowship
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 1
by worshiping God individually, or that we can enter into the wonder of the Unio Mystica simply by attending services at the local church. As in all of the social spheres, there is potential here for the emergence of dysfunctions and pathologies as the effects of the Cosmic Battle make themselves felt at the very core of man’s relationship with God. Interestingly enough, marital imagery arises again in this connection: the Lord warns His people many times in Scripture against the danger of “prostituting” themselves or “going a-whoring” after other gods and idols (see Numbers 15:38-39). Just as spouses are to seek fulfillment of the sexual drive exclusively within the bonds of the marriage covenant, so we as believers are to confine our quest for significance to the covenant relationship with the Creator. For it is this powerful human hunger for significance, says Dr. Tackett, when directed outside of God’s covenant relationships, that constitutes the single most formidable barrier to intimacy, communion, and oneness. All too often, we forsake the Lord and cut ourselves off from others in attempt to puff up our own sense of self-importance. Points to Watch For Especially important to the overall message of this lesson is the idea that oneness with God represents the heart of the Christian Gospel; in other words, that Christianity is not primarily a moral, philosophical, or religious system, but rather a deep, intimate, and living relationship with a personal Creator. This, to return to a point made in Lesson 4, is the essence of “eternal life” – i.e., knowing God just as intimately as Adam knew Eve. It is important to help students come to the place where they can not only begin to understand this concept rationally – something we can never fully achieve – but also feel the wonder of it in a profoundly affecting way. This is the point at which the transformational aspect of this tour will come home to participants most tellingly. Some students may also need to wrestle with the implications of Dr. Tackett’s warning about the danger of “blurring the spheres.” Discussion Questions (Pick 3 or 4 for your discussion time.) (Make these questions your own. That is, don’t just “read” them, but become familiar with them so that they don’t appear as simply an item to get through. Go through them yourself before your group meets and ponder them.)
1) Opening Question: (this may be the only question you need to ask). A. Ask your guests to list what they saw on the tour. Here are some of the key items: Social systems; the divine imprint; unio mystica; divine intimacy with man; the mystical union within the Trinity, between husband and wife, between Christ and the church; between God and man; intimacy, union, oneness; the wonder of God dwelling within me; unique and particular social laws; blurring of social spheres; the oneness of the body of Christ; the one-another commands; tassels and phylacteries; "everything they do is done for men to see"; the hunger for significance; Saul's jealousy of David; Jesus teaching from Matthew 6 about giving alms, praying or fasting to be seen by men versus being seen by God; buyer's remorse; hungering for God.
B. Ask your guests to point out the ones that were particularly interesting or striking to them and why.
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 2
C. Ask if this particular area struck anyone else as well. D. Ask if there were other items that they saw that stoof out to them. (You many want to read back through the list if you need to.) 2) How would you define Christianity? What definition does Dr. Tackett propose
during the course of this lesson? Why does he see this definition as being of central importance to our understanding of the Gospel and our overall grasp of truth? (Dr. Tackett defines Christianity specifically in terms of the Mystical Union. Through faith in Christ, he says, we are not simply “saved” or “delivered from hell,” but actually introduced into the inner sanctum of the Godhead itself and united in a personal, intimate, and relational way with our Creator. This is what it means to “know God” and thus possess “eternal life.”)
3) What do we mean when we speak of our union with God as a mystery? Why is it so
important to affirm and embrace the mysterious aspects of this reality rather than trying to reduce it to a simple statement of fact? (The incredible essence of the Christian message is Immanuel – God with us and in us. The thought that the infinite Creator of all things has come to dwell not only in the church as His body, but also in you and me individually – not just a “piece” of Him, but His complete and entire infinite self – is a mind-boggling concept that inspires joy, fear, and wonder, and which should have the effect of driving us to worship and adoration, with an ever increasing hunger to enjoy that intimacy with Him. To be content with a simple, clinical affirmation of this truth is to walk away from the most incredible wonder that God has ever granted. The relational aspect of our faith cannot be replaced with a set of cold philosophical and religious propositions.)
4) Contemplate, for a moment, the reality of God dwelling within us. How deeply do we
believe this to be real? Does our life and thinking characterize this profound reality? (If we are honest, most of us will confess that we think of God as more “external” than actually dwelling within; more “out there” than “in here”. That is why our thoughts and actions are sometimes carried out as if nobody sees or knows.)
5) Cite some examples of ways in which we can “blur the spheres” and thus miss out
on the fullness of what God intends us to experience in the realm of our social relationships. Can you think of personal instances in which you have unwittingly fallen prey to this tendency? (Review the examples provided in the lesson: a man says “I can’t work for a female employer” [confusing labor and church]; another asserts, “I don’t need church, I can worship God on my own” [confusing the Unio Mystica with the church as the body of Christ]. Encourage participants to engage in an honest examination of their own hearts and lives in this respect.)
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 3
6) What insight into the heart of man can we glean from King Saul’s reaction to the women’s celebration of David’s victory over Goliath? From the Pharisees and their “long tassels” and “wide phylacteries”? How can this insight help us fight the pathologies that confront us in all of the various social spheres? (Saul was angered by the women’s song – “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands” – because it threatened his sense of personal significance. The jealousy he felt toward David as a result actually became the occasion of his falling under demonic influence. Similarly, the hypocritical Pharisees lengthened their tassels solely “to be seen of men” – in other words, all their so-called “religious” behavior was aimed at a single goal: to build up their own sense of self-significance as contrasted with the significance of others. These are just two examples, says Dr. Tackett, of the many ways in which our human hunger for significance drives us away from God, cuts us off from other people, and makes us incapable of entering into intimate relationships. If we can bridle this impulse and direct it back to its true source of satisfaction – the sense of fulfillment we can find in a close and “secret” relationship with our Father in heaven – we will have struck a major blow against all types of social pathology.)
7) How should this discussion of the Unio Mystica impact our attitude toward that
relationship and the price that was paid to make it available to us? (Wonder, love, and praise are the only appropriate reactions to the miracle of intimacy with God that has been offered to us in Christ. When we begin to grasp what it means to rest in Him and find all our needs for fulfillment and significance satisfied in His love, we will be filled with an ever deeper appreciation for the precious wounds of Jesus and a deep hunger to walk closer with Him and experience more of His truth and love.)
8) How do we enter into a deep and intimate relationship with the infinite-personal
God? (Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, who was “wounded for our transgressions” [Isaiah 53:5]. Note to the host: if you think your group is ready for this, have someone share their testimony of when they came to Christ. Also note, this could be the time when someone in your group may realize that they are not really a Christian. Be ready to lead them in that step, either privately or in the group if they openly confess their need.)
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 4
U n i o M y s t i c a
am i Alone?
Before long, the world will not
see me anymore, but you will
see me. Because I live, you also
will live. On that day you will
realize that I am in my Father,
and you are in me, and
I am in you.
John 14:19-20
“Unio Mystica”
N
GodMan
Social Order
Truth
God & Man
PhilosophyScienceHistory
Arts & Media
FamilyState
Law Church
Labor
Community
Ethics
G o d & M a n
divine Intimacy with man
“Therefore a man shall leave his
father and mother and hold fast
to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh."
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers
to Christ and the church.
The ‘Unio Mystica ’
Ephesians 5:31-32 (ESV)
1
2
3
4
5© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 5
God & Man
Church
The Intimate Three
Family
Trinity
Unio Mystica
Intimacy
Union
Oneness
…the glorious riches
of this mystery,
which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory.
The ‘Unio Mystica ’
Colossians 1:27
The ‘Mystical Union ’
”I am the vine; you are the
branches. If a man remains in
me and I in him, he will bear
much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new
creation; the old has
gone, the new
has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
The ‘Mystical Union ’
6
7
8
9
10© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 6
I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20
The ‘Mystical Union ’
And I will ask the Father, and he
will give you another Counselor to
be with you forever—the Spirit of
truth. The world cannot accept
him, because it neither sees him
nor knows him. But you know
him, for he lives with you
and will be in you...
John 14:16-17
The ‘Mystical Union ’
Descriptions & Namesof the New Man
A holy nation Born from above
Saints
PriestsBeloved
Called out ones
The people of God
Sons of God
Children of GodThe redeemed
Wear white robes
Social Institutions
Blurring the Spheres...
Unique & Particular Social Laws
Family Labor
State
Community
God&
Man
Church
General &
Universal
Unique &
Particular
‘Unio Mystica’
‘MysticalUnion’
God
Man
&Man
ManMan
ManMan
Man
Man
The Body of Christ
The Family of God
11
12
13
14
15© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 7
Now you are the
body of Christ,
and each one of you
is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Making the Many One
Just as each of us has one body
with many members, and these
members do not all have the
same function, so in Christ we
who are many form one
body, and each member
belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5
Making the Many One
...we, who are many, are one body...
1 Corinthians 10:17
Making the Many One
the Mystery...
The ‘Mystery ’ of Christ
...the mystery hidden for long
ages past, but now revealed and
made known through the
prophetic writings by the
command of the eternal God…
Romans 16:25-26
16
17
18
19
20© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 8
And he made known to us the
mystery of his will according to his
good pleasure, which he purposed
in Christ, to be put into effect when
the times will have reached their
fulfillment—to bring all things in
heaven and on earth together under
one head, even Christ.
Ephesians 1:9-10
The ‘Mystery ’ of Christ
what is this Mystery?
This mystery is that through
the gospel the Gentiles are heirs
together with Israel, members
together of one body, and
sharers together in the promise
in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6
The ‘Mystery ’ of Christ
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
slave nor free, male nor female, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you
are Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
Galatians 3:28-29
The ‘Mystery ’ of Christ
no racial barriers
no economic class barriers
no gender barriers
“Jew nor Greek”
“Slave nor free”
“Male nor female”
The ‘Mystery ’ of Christ
21
22
23
24
25© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 9
Consequently, you are no longer
foreigners and aliens, but fellow
citizens with God's people and
members of God's household,
built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with
Christ Jesus himself as the
chief cornerstone.
The Church
Ephesians 2:19-22
In him the whole building is
joined together and rises to
become a holy temple in the Lord.
And in him you too are being
built together to become a
dwelling in which God
lives by his Spirit.
The Church
Ephesians 2:19-22
"My prayer is not for them alone. I
pray also for those who will believe in
me through their message, that all of
them may be one, Father, just as you
are in me and I am in you. May
they also be in us so that the world
may believe that you have sent me...
John 17:20-23
Jesus ’ Vision for the Church
Jesus ’ Vision for the Church
I have given them the glory that you
gave me, that they may be one as
we are one: I in them and you in
me. May they be brought to complete
unity to let the world know that you
sent me and have loved them even
as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23
Back to Unity
IntimacyUnion
Oneness
Intimate Fellowship
26
27
28
29
30© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 10
Unity, Oneness . . .Again
Make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of
peace. There is one body and one
Spirit—just as you were called to
one hope when you were called—
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Ephesians 4:3-5
Love one another (1 Pet 1:22)
Bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:2)
Pray for one another (Jam 5:16)
Forebear one another (Eph 4:2)
Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32)
Admonish one another (Col 3:16)
Build one another up (Rom 14:19)
Give preference to one another (Rom 12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Rom 12:16)
The Flock
Encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11)
Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)
Serve one another (Gal 5:13)
Accept one another (Rom 15:7)
Be devoted to one another (Rom 12:10)
Teach one another (Col 3:16)
Comfort one another (1 Thess 4:18)
Forgive one another (Eph 4:32)
Be of the same mind with one another (Rom 15:5)
Regard one another as more important (Phil 2:3)
The Flock
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Jesus ’ Vision for the Church
Pathologies
31
32
33
34
35© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 11
“Speak to the Israelites and
say to them: ‘Throughout the
generations to come you are to
make tassels on the corners of
your garments, with a blue
cord on each tassel.
Why Tassels?
Numbers 15:38-39
You will have these tassels to look
at and so you will remember all
the commands of the LORD, that
you may obey them and not
prostitute yourselves by going
after the lusts of your own
hearts and eyes.’”
Why Tassels?
Numbers 15:38-39
Jesus and “Tassels”
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to
his disciples: "The teachers of the law
and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So
you must obey them and do everything
they tell you. But do not do what they do,
for they do not practice what they preach.
They tie up heavy loads and put them on
men's shoulders, but they themselves are
not willing to lift a finger to move them...
Matthew 23:1-7
Jesus and “Tassels”
Matthew 23:1-7Deut 6:8
Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their
phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love
the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the
synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have
men call them 'Rabbi.'
Hunger for Significance
‘Sigies’
“Prostitution”
The Post-Game PartyDavid & Saul: 1 Sam 18:6-10
Jesus teaching Matthew 6
36
37
38
39
40© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 12
When the men were returning home
after David had killed the Philistine,
the women came out from all the
towns of Israel to meet King Saul
with singing and dancing, with
joyful songs and with tambourines
and lutes. As they danced, they
sang: "Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands."
Hunger for Significance
1 Samuel 18:6-10
Saul was very angry; this refrain
galled him. "They have credited
David with tens of thousands," he
thought, "but me with only
thousands. What more can he
get but the kingdom?" And
from that time on Saul kept a
jealous eye on David.
Hunger for Significance
1 Samuel 18:6-10
The next day an evil spirit from
God came forcefully upon Saul.
Hunger for Significance
1 Samuel 18:6-10
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen
by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do
not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received
their reward in full.
Matthew 6:1-4
Hunger for Significance
But when you give to the needy, do
not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing, so that your
giving may be in secret. Then your
Father, who sees what is done in
secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4
Hunger for Significance
41
42
43
44
45© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 13
"And when you pray, do not be like the
hypocrites, for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and on the
street corners to be seen by men. I tell
you the truth, they have received their
reward in full. But when you pray, go
into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father, who is unseen.
Then your Father, who sees what is
done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6
Hunger for Significance
"When you fast, do not look somber as
the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their
faces to show men they are fasting. I tell
you the truth, they have received their
reward in full. But when you fast, put oil
on your head and wash your face, so that
it will not be obvious to men that you are
fasting, but only to your Father, who is
unseen; and your Father, who sees what
is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18
Hunger for Significance
Buyer ’s Remorse
Isaiah 55:1-2
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters; and you
who have no money, come,
buy and eat! Come, buy wine
and milk without money
and without cost.
Isaiah 55:1-2
Why spend money on what is
not bread, and your labor on
what does not satisfy? Listen,
listen to me, and eat what
is good, and your soul will
delight in the richest of fare.
Buyer ’s Remorse
Eternal Life?
revisiting the simple question...
what is
…that they may know you, the
only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom you have sent.
John 17:3
46
47
48
49
50© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 14
“God has made us for
Himself and our hearts are restless until we find our
rest in Him.”
Augustine
The True Perspective on Man’s Need
But he was pierced for
our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us
peace was upon him,
and by his wounds
we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
As the deer pants for
streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Our Greatest Desire
Psalm 42:1-2
U n i o M y s t i c a
am i Alone?
Augustine. Confessions. Translated by R.S. Pine-Coffin. New York: Penguin, 1961, p. 21 (Book 1, Chapter 1).
51
52
53
54
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 15
Outline
Lesson 8 - Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
I. Introduction – What is a mystery?
A. Sphere design - review of the family and church
B. Scriptural themes of intimacy, union, & oneness
II. The Mystical Union
A. Between a husband and wife
B. Between Christ and His church
C. Between God and man – the Unio Mystica
1. Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you"
2. John 15:5 "If a man remains in me and I in him"
3. John 14:16-17 "for he lives with you and will be in you"
4. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 "God's Spirit lives in you"
D. Unique and particular social laws and the blurring of spheres
III. Unity - The Body of Christ - Making many One
A. Many members – we form one body with unique gifts and roles
B. The Mystery of Christ – " ...for you are all one in Christ Jesus"
C. Jesus' vision for the church
1. John 17: 20-23 " ...that all of them may be one ...so the world may
believe that you have sent me ...may they be brought to complete unity
..."
2. Oneness – the many reciprocal or "one-another" commands
IV. Hunger for significance
A. Tassels – Numbers 15 - " ...so you will ...not prostitute yourselves by going after
the lusts of your own hearts and eyes" Also see Deuteronomy 22 and Matthew 23
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 16
B. Jesus' teaching - "everything they do is for men to see" - We want to be noticed
and gain recognition from others – Matthew 6 "They have received their reward
in full"
C. Source of significance drive - from God and should by fulfilled through His
covenant relationships; ultimately fulfilled only by Him
D. Post Game Party – Saul's jealousy of David after the victory over Goliath
V. Conclusion – "God has made us for Himself and our hearts are restless until we find
our rest in Him" – Psalm 42:1-2 "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God"
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 17
Key Terms
Lesson 8 – Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
Buyer's Remorse: A strong feeling of guilt or regret when one has made a purchase of something that would deeply satisfy, but it does not. Hunger for Significance: A God-given, inherent drive within humans that desires recognition and relational significance. Dr. Tackett compares our significance drive to our sexual drive—holy and divine when fulfilled within God's design. We often distort this drive and attempt to find our significance in material possessions, our career, our spouse, etc. Phylacteries: Small boxes containing slips of paper with scripture written on them that were fastened on the foreheads of scribes (see Numbers 15:38, Deuteronomy 22:12)]. Jesus references phylacteries in Matthew 23:1-7. Prostitute: Somebody who receives money in return for sexual acts or a person who sells their abilities, talent, or skills for an unworthy purpose. When we look to other means of fulfilling our drive for significance, God says we are "prostituting ourselves." Tassels: God commanded the children of Israel to tie tassels on their robes in order help the remember the commands of the Lord. See Numbers 15:38-39. Unio Mystica: The mystical union that exists between God and man. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God has invited us into an intimate, personal relationship with Him. In a larger sense, this mystery extends to the intimate union found within marriage and the church.
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 18
Scripture References
Lesson 8 – Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
John 14:16-20 Eph 5:31-32 Titus 1:5 Eph 4:11-13, 14 1 Tim 3:15 Col 1:27 John 15:5 2 Cor 5:17 Gal 2:20 1 Cor 3:16-17 1 Cor 6:19 1 Cor 12:27 Rom 12:4-5 1 Cor 10:17 Rom 16:25-26 Eph 1:9-10 Eph 3:6 Gal 3:28-29 Eph 2:19-22 John 17:20-23 Eph 4:3-5 1 Pet 1:22 Gal 6:2 James 5:16 Eph 4:21 Eph 4:32 Col 3:16 Rom 14:19 Rom 12:10, 16 1 Thess 5:11 Eph 5:21 Gal 5:13 Rom 15:7 1 Thess 4:18 Rom 15:5 Phil 2:3 John 13:34-35 Deut 22:11-13 Deut 15:38-39 Matt 23:1-7 1 Sam 18:6-10 Matt 6:1-18 Isa 55:1-2 John 17:3 Isa 53:5 Psa 42:1-2
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 19
Recommended Reading
Lesson 8 – Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
Please note that not everything in these suggested resources should be considered endorsed by Focus on the Family. Nevertheless, Dr. Tackett has found this material helpful. Scripture should be your first and primary resource.
Colson, Charles. 2003. Being the Body. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing Group.
Getz, Gene A. 1976. Building Up One Another. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
St. Augustine. 426, translated, edited and reprinted 1958. City of God. New York, NY:
Image Books.
© 2006 Focus on the Family Page 20